Catholic Dictionary

Find accurate definitions of over 5,000 Catholic terms and phrases (including abbreviations). Based on Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

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IMPERFECTION, NEGATIVE

A lack of greater perfection in a human act, due to a variety of causes but not consciously willed by a person. Thus, to give a poor person alms is a morally good act. Giving that person more than one actually had given would ordinarily be a greater perfection; hence the alms, in themselves, may be considered negatively imperfect. Negative imperfections are not sinful because they are not voluntary.